I think I may have some type of anxiety disorder, can you give me suggestions?

Question

I am 42 years old today. Happy Birthday to me! When I was a kid, my mother told me if I didn't keep my hair out of my mouth, I would form a big hair ball in my stomach and the doctor would have to cut it out. I tried, but couldn't stop sticking my hair in my mouth. I was always getting in trouble for it at school and other places. I remember thinking when I grew up, I wouldn't do it anymore.
I still stick a little strand of hair in my mouth and really like doing it. Its sort of like some people such their thumb. I never did that I always stuck my hair in my mouth.
SO, What is with me? Am I going to be 90 yrs old and chewing on my hair. My hair is about to my shoulders and dark brown. When I trim it up, and cant get it to my mouth, I stop chomping on it, but when it grows back out, I start the habit all over again. Sometimes I do it and don't realize I am doing it. I am sure it looks peculiar. I bet people who see this think I have a mental disorder. Do I?

PS. I can be chewing gum and still stuff a strand of hair in my mouth.

Answer 1

No, you do not have a "mental disorder". You are a Cancerian...the
sign is very sensitive and prone to being nervous.
I suggest keeping your hair short , although eventually you may develop some other habit in it's place.
Who cares what other people think!

Answer 2

I think the important issue here is not whether or not you have a diagnosis but the fact that this is causing you some distress. I think there are probably a lot of people out there who chew on the ends of their hair as a nervous habit (I've definitely seen some!). If it's bothering you, then there are some simple things you could try. It may help to have some sort of aversive thing you do when you catch yourself doing it - like snapping a rubber band on your wrist. An even better method might be to reward yourself with something for going a certain amount of time without chewing on your hair. And, if none of that works or if you have a hard time implementing punishment/rewards for yourself, you might try consulting with a therapist about it. Good luck!

Answer 3

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!
I am not a psychiatrist but I don't think you have a mental disorder. Not unless things like biting your nails or bouncing your leg are mental disorders and if they are then there are a whole lot of people in your boat. Your little quirk is just a little more prominent than the other things I spoke of because it is more rare. My suggestion though is to get hair cuts more often. It has been said that it takes 3 days to form a habit and 28 to break one. So keep your hair cut and then it will keep you from putting it in your mouth and help you to find something else to replace that habit with.

Answer 4

I am not a psychologist... but I have studied psychology as a minor in college. I can't be sure but I think your symptoms make your diagnosis is apt to fall in obsessive compulsive disorder somehow, or maybe it's simply a bad habit. Whether or not you need professional help is up to you... this is a habit you want to stop so I probably try psychotherapy if I couldn't manage to break it myself. There could be an underlying reason you do this... maybe sort of a safety-net or saftey "ritual". Talk therapy might help you sort that out. There are also medications that help Obsessive Compulsive Disorders that might be something you can discuss as well. I hope talk therapy will be enough... but just know that meds are there if you need them.

Again, I can't say for sure if you have a mental disorder at all... but if this is something you truely want to stop seek professional help. Good luck with this!!

Happy Birthday!

Answer 5

Anxiety,or panic attacks happen when something gets you upset,or sometimes you dont even have anything to upset you...its a feeling of well...panic,your chest gets heavy,your shaking,cant breath,and you may start crying.
Your story sounds like you just have a habit that you cant control...your not mental...lol. My brother-in-law is very much normal,not very smart,but normal.He had a security blanket since he was a baby,when he had to go to kindergarten his mother finally took it away,anyway...he smelled his blanket all the time,so now even to this day(he's 24) you can catch him cupping his hands in front of his nose and mouth and hear him sniffing his hands...thing is that he doesnt even know he's doing it,kind of like when you chew on your hair.Try keeping your hair short all the time.....? Happy Birthday!

Answer 6

First of all, HAPPY 42nd B-DAY!!!

You're just fine. You have a habit just like many others do. It is a different habit, but none-the-less a habit. It is a way of comforting yourself. I was a smoker for many years, and finally tried hypnosis. IT REALLY WORKS! Well, I am smoke free for close to 1 year now. No cravings either. You may want to look into it. Hypnosis is not about "Hocus-Pocus" and it is not about the therapist controlling your mind. It is impossible for the therapist to make you do anything you wouldn't want to do. It is about reaching the sub-concious mind and giving it positive suggestions. I recommend it highly. Good luck.

Answer 7

I wouldn't consider any mental treatment or anything like that for chewing on your hair... It's more of a "biting the nails" thing. People do it when they are nervouse or agitated. I always "fiddle" with things in my hands when I meet new people because I am afraid they won't like me, and i think it's perfectly normal. I think you have more of a habit than anything.

Answer 8

No, you probably just have an oral fixation. Try chewing gum or hard candy or something. It's a common problem, it just manifests in many different ways.

Answer 9

Sounds like a obsessive/compulsive disorder. See your mental health dept.

Answer 10

Happy Birthday, My suggestion is to try doing yoga. It is so awesome for the mind body and soul